Cathal Murphy, brother of the murdered Ashling Murphy, described the convicted killer Jozef Puska as a "vicious monster" who inflicted "incomprehensible violence" on his victim. Speaking at the Criminal Courts of Justice after Puska's conviction for the January 2023 murder of Ashling while she walked along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Mr Murphy thanked the jury for their patience and resilience during the trial. He said the verdict delivers justice but will not bring Ashling back or heal the family's wounds, and urged the media to respect their privacy as they continue to grieve. Ryan Casey, Ashling's boyfriend, also thanked the family, friends, community, Gardaí, the prosecution team, the presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt and court support staff for their support and for the thorough investigation that led to the conviction.
Jozef Puska, aged 33, was found guilty of murdering 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy by stabbing her 11 times in the neck on 12 January 2022. The Central Criminal Court jury delivered a unanimous verdict after two hours of deliberation. Puska, who had pleaded not guilty, was taken to prison by officers as the verdict was announced. He will be sentenced to life imprisonment on 17 November. The jury's decision was praised by the Murphy family, who attended every day of the trial. Evidence presented included CCTV footage of Puska's bicycle near the scene, DNA on the bike and under Murphy's fingernails, and his fingerprints. Puska's defence claimed he was attacked by a masked man, a claim rejected by the jury. No motive was offered. The sentencing date was set for 17 November.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, the prosecution presented evidence that Puska stalked and murdered Ashling Murphy on the Grand Canal towpath on 13 January. Puska allegedly dragged Murphy into briars, stabbed her 11 times in the neck and slashed her once, causing fatal blood loss. Witnesses, including teacher Jenna Stack, described seeing a man crouched over Murphy, holding her down, and Puska's DNA was found under Murphy's fingernails. Puska was arrested in Tullamore, questioned in hospital, and during the trial he repeatedly denied involvement, later claiming he had been stabbed elsewhere and that he had confessed to the murder. The court heard conflicting statements and the prosecution urged the jury to reject Puska's lies and convict him of murder.
The jury for the 17‑day trial of Jozef Puska, accused of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, began deliberations after a 25‑minute session. Judge Tony Hunt reminded jurors that a unanimous verdict is required and urged them to base their decision solely on the evidence heard. He explained that if they are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of Puska's guilt, they must acquit, and if they are satisfied, they must convict. The judge highlighted the prosecution's case that Puska stabbed Murphy repeatedly, and noted Puska's own testimony that he was attacked by an unknown man who then stabbed Murphy. He also discussed the alleged confession Puska made in hospital, the reliability of that statement, and the DNA evidence linking Puska to the victim. The jury will receive transcripts of Puska's testimony, witness statements, and expert evidence before returning tomorrow for further deliberation. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt addressed a jury hearing the trial of Jozef Puska, who denies murdering 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy. The judge reiterated the legal principles and guided the jury through the evidence presented, including an alleged confession by Puska, DNA found under Murphy's fingernails, interview evidence from Gardaí after his arrest, and eye‑witness testimony at the scene. Puska, 33, has pleaded not guilty to the murder that occurred on 12 January 2022 in Cappincur, Tullamore. The defence has questioned the reliability of Puska's alleged confession, recorded on 14 January when he was in St James's Hospital. The judge noted that while the words spoken were recorded, the defence raised concerns about their truth, accuracy and reliability, citing an expert who suggested Puska may have been confused or experiencing "subtle delirium" due to surgery, pain relief medication, the unfamiliar hospital environment and a language barrier.
Alex Almajanu, 23, received a fully suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to endangerment, two breaches of Covid regulations, dangerous driving, not holding a driver's license, and criminal damage on the basis of recklessness committed on April 25, 2020. The offences involved fleeing a checkpoint in County Clare and subsequently leading gardaí on a high-speed chase across the midlands, which included driving at 200 km/hr and causing over €13,000 in damage to a patrol car. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as "deplorable" and noted that public resources were expended during a national crisis. While acknowledging the defendant's mitigation, including his recovery from drug addiction and role as a father, the judge stated the offences warranted a headline sentence of three years. She imposed a sentence of two years and three months, suspending the entire term for three years on the condition that Almajanu engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for five years. Defence counsel highlighted that the defendant was under the influence of drugs at the time but is now drug-free and caring for his infant daughter.
In her closing speech to the jury, Anne-Marie Lawlor SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions described Jozef Puska as an 'inveterate liar' and said that his account of trying to save Ashling Murphy was a 'structure of lies and mistruths' that were 'foul and contemptible in their nature'. She pointed to evidence, including DNA found under Ms Murphy's fingernails and Mr Puska's admission to gardai that he killed her, to argue that the only rational conclusion is that he murdered her. Mr Puska's defence, led by Michael Bowman SC, urged the jury to be cautious in interpreting the evidence and suggested that the alleged confession made by Mr Puska may not be reliable due to medical factors. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence presented by both sides. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, who denies murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, the defence has finished its evidence. Dr Johann Grundlingh, an accident and emergency specialist, testified that Puska's alleged confession may have been unreliable because he was in a post‑operative state, receiving opioid painkillers, and possibly experiencing subtle delirium. He also raised concerns about language barriers and the unfamiliar hospital environment. Dr Grundlingh noted that no formal assessment of Puska's fitness to be interviewed was carried out. Judge Tony Hunt told the jury that they would hear the prosecution's closing speech on Tuesday, followed by the defence and the judge's charge, and that the case would be handed over to the jury on Wednesday afternoon. Puska, aged 33, remains not guilty of the murder of Ms Murphy, which occurred on 12 January 2022 in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women.
Jozef Puska, aged 33, gave evidence at the Ashling Murphy trial claiming he was a witness to her murder. He testified that he was stabbed three times by the same attacker who killed the 23‑year‑old teacher. Puska described being pushed off his bike, stabbed in the stomach, and later seeing the attacker assault a woman before fleeing. He said he tried to help Murphy, using her shawl to cover injuries, but left after a few moments. Puska admitted lying to Gardaí about being stabbed in Blanchardstown and apologized, citing fear for his family. He denied confessing to murder in St James's Hospital and said he could not recall such admissions. The trial continues with further witnesses to be called. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
Jozef Puska, aged 33, took the stand in his own defence at the Ashling Murphy murder trial. He denied any intent to harm the 23‑year‑old teacher, stating he had "no bad intention whatsoever" when he was cycling behind Annemarie Kelly, a witness who claimed Puska was following her. Puska explained that he had left his home in Mucklagh at 11:30 a.m. on a push bike, travelled to Tullamore, and moved around the town, looking for his brother. He described the bike he rode—a black Falcon Storm push bike with a green needle—as the one found near the murder site. Puska also said he would not comment on questions about his DNA found under Murphy's fingernails or his presence at the scene, after being interviewed by Gardaí under the Criminal Justice Act 1984. The prosecution closed its case, and Puska's testimony will continue tomorrow. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
During a trial for the murder of school teacher Ashling Murphy, the accused, Jozef Puska, told Gardaí that he had never seen her. He repeated this denial when questioned by detectives six days after the stabbing. Puska, 33, had earlier admitted to the murder in a hospital bed, stating "I did it, I murdered, I am the murderer" and that he had "cut" Murphy. He has pleaded not guilty. Garda detectives interviewed him five times over two days following his arrest on suspicion of the murder. In the current hearing, the prosecution presented an email from a different individual claiming responsibility for the murder, but Gardaí found no link to Puska. The trial proceeds before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Dr Lorna Flanagan presented DNA evidence linking Jozef Puska to Ashling Murphy's murder. Swabs taken from under Murphy's fingernails yielded a Y‑chromosome profile that matched the Y‑STR profile from Puska's blood and swabs collected when he was in custody at Tullamore Garda Station on 18 January. The probability of an unrelated match was estimated at about one in 14,000. Puska, aged 33, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Murphy, who was killed on 12 January 2022 in Cappincur, Tullamore. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women. The court has not yet reached a verdict.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Jozef Puska, an interpreter, Miroslav Sedlacek, testified that Puska was emotional and spoke with a trembling voice after confessing to the murder of Ashling Murphy. Sedlacek described the conversation that took place on the evening of 14 January 2022, two days after Murphy was stabbed near the Grand Canal in Tullamore. Puska admitted to the killing, stating he did not intend it and expressed remorse. He also asked about the safety of his family and whether Murphy's relatives would seek revenge. The interpreter noted that Puska's voice changed during the interview, becoming more disjointed and low‑spirited. The testimony was cross‑examined by defence counsel, who confirmed that the interpreter had described the police interaction as an interview rather than interrogation. The trial continues before a jury. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
During the Ashling Murphy murder trial, Garda Detective Sergeant Brian Jennings recorded that accused Jozef Puska admitted he committed the murder, saying "I did it, I murdered, I am the murderer" and expressed regret, stating "I feel guilty and I say I regret it." Puska, aged 33, was a person of interest and had been questioned at St James's Hospital after the victim's death on 12 January 2022. He claimed he had been attacked by two men in Blanchardstown, sustaining stomach injuries, and that he had no memory of the murder. Puska also said he had been planning to meet a woman in Dublin and that he had been told he was a suspect. The trial has not yet reached a verdict. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Jozef Puska, 33, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Ashling Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022, continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Prosecution evidence included Fitbit data from Ms Murphy's watch, which recorded erratic or violent movements at 3.21pm before her heart rate ceased. Witness Rostislav Pokuta testified that Puska visited his home around 9pm on the night of the alleged incident, appearing wet, frightened, and covered in scratches. Pokuta stated he initially withheld this information from gardai due to fear for his family's safety amid an "ugly atmosphere" in Tullamore, but later reported the meeting. Puska was driven to Mucklagh and identified on CCTV. Defence counsel suggested Puska had suffered stab wounds to his stomach. Det Gda Ciaran Byrne presented the Fitbit data, while Det Sgt Paul McDonnell described interviewing Puska at St James's Hospital, where Puska alleged he was stabbed in Blanchardstown by two men. The trial is ongoing.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, a 33‑year‑old accused of murdering 23‑year‑old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy, Annemarie Kelly testified that she felt uncomfortable when Puska cycled behind her very slowly and stared at her. She described the stare as intimidating and noted his physical appearance: about five feet seven or eight inches tall, slim build, shaved head, black stubble, dark eyebrows, sallow skin and dark eyes. Kelly said she tried to avoid him by walking fast, jogging past him, and eventually crossing a canal bridge to escape. She also reported contacting gardai after the incident. Puska denies the murder charge. The trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women. The case remains at the trial stage.
The Central Criminal Court heard that Ashling Murphy died before paramedics could attempt resuscitation after she was found with 12 sharp force wounds to her neck in the undergrowth by the Grand Canal in Tullamore. CCTV footage showed a garda believing he could see the accused, Jozef Puska, moving in the same direction as two women, reaching into his pockets and appearing to have something in his hand before returning it to his pocket. The prosecution presented footage of Ashling's movements from leaving work at Scoil Naomh Colmcille at 2.37 pm to arriving at the Daingean Road car park at 2.50 pm and walking to the towpath. Puska, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Murphy on 12 January 2022. The trial continues next week before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
The Central Criminal Court heard that Ashling Murphy died from 12 stab wounds to the right side of her neck, with injuries extending from under the right ear to above the collar bone. The wounds severed her voice box, damaged nerves controlling speech and swallowing, and damaged the carotid artery and jugular vein, causing severe blood loss and cardio‑respiratory arrest. Small defensive injuries were noted on her hands, suggesting she tried to protect herself. The pathologist stated no contributory factors and could not exclude strangulation, but no obvious signs were present. The case involves Jozef Puska, 33, who pleaded not guilty to her murder. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of twelve. The court heard police accounts of the discovery of Murphy's body in a ditch near Cappincur, Tullamore, and the subsequent resuscitation attempts that were ultimately abandoned.
The first Garda to arrive at the scene where schoolteacher Ashling Murphy was found unresponsive in undergrowth by the Grand Canal spent ten minutes performing chest compressions. Garda Tom Dunne, who was in a patrol car, arrived shortly after a distressed call and found Ms Murphy face‑up in a ditch five or six feet down a steep slope. She was wearing a navy jacket, a pair of blue runners and a pink woolly hat, and had blood in her hair and on the surrounding briars. Dunne undid her jacket and began CPR, checking for a pulse that he described as "very faint". He alternated chest compressions with a colleague because only one officer could work at a time. When paramedics arrived they moved Ms Murphy to the walkway but, finding no signs of life, they stopped treatment. Jozef Puska, 33, has pleaded not guilty to her murder.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, accused of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, defence counsel Michael Bowman SC argued that Puska was attempting to help Murphy stop bleeding when a jogger arrived. Witness Jenna Stack testified that she saw Puska "trying to assist" Murphy, but she disagreed, describing him as aggressive, shouting "get away" and holding the girl down while she kicked her legs. Stack said Murphy was distressed and moving only her legs. She also noted Puska's foreign accent, shaved head and dark eyebrows. Bowman suggested Puska's shout was pain from a cut leg, not aggression, and that Murphy had reached for Puska's forearms to stop bleeding. Stack maintained she saw no weapon and that Puska could have asked for help. The case continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
In a case heard at the Central Criminal Court in Tullamore, a 48‑year‑old man was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for raping his former partner during a 10‑hour false imprisonment ordeal. The defendant, who was previously convicted of assault and false imprisonment in 2022, was found guilty of rape on 7 August 2018. He had detained the woman in his apartment against her wishes, assaulted her, and forced sexual contact. The court noted the victim's physical and emotional suffering, her fear of leaving the house, and her panic attacks. The judge, citing the man's lack of remorse and prior convictions, imposed a headline sentence of ten years, suspended one year, and ordered two years of post‑release supervision with mandatory sex‑offender treatment. The defendant denied the rape and had not shown remorse or undertaken rehabilitation before sentencing.
In the Central Criminal Court, Jozef Puska, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 23‑year‑old Ashling Murphy, who was stabbed 11 times on the right side of her neck near the Grand Canal in Tullamore on 12 January 2022. Prosecutor Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC presented evidence that Y‑STR DNA from under Murphy's fingernails matched Puska's DNA, that a bright green Falcon Storm mountain bike belonging to Puska was found beside the body, and that CCTV footage showed Puska cycling in the area hours before the killing. Puska was interviewed at St James's Hospital after being admitted with stab wounds he claimed were from an attack in Blanchardstown; he later admitted in the hospital to having murdered Murphy, saying "I did it, I murdered, I am the murderer." The jury will consider whether the evidence shows Puska intended to kill or cause serious injury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
A 33‑year‑old man, Jozef Puska, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy, who was allegedly killed near the Grand Canal in Tullamore on 12 January 2022. The trial will be held at the Central Criminal Court and is expected to last up to five weeks. A jury of twelve, sworn this afternoon, will hear the case. Judge Tony Hunt warned potential jurors that they must not have engaged in commentary about the case online or on social media and that any prior knowledge of Puska's hospital stay at St James's Hospital in Dublin should be disclosed. The prosecution will present witnesses from the Tullamore area, the midlands, various Dublin Garda stations and forensic science laboratories, with medical personnel possibly called to give evidence. The defence will be represented by Michael Bowman SC. The trial is scheduled to open tomorrow.
A man aged 54 from Erry, Clara, County Offaly, has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment following his conviction on charges of sexually abusing a teenage boy over an extended period in the 1990s. Patrick Bardon was convicted by jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Longford in June on 11 counts of oral rape committed between October 1992 and March 1994 at his then home in Ferbane, County Offaly. The court heard that Bardon, a former teacher, befriended the boy at a local pitch and putt club before the abuse occurred. Mr Justice David Keane imposed a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced to ten years with the final two years suspended, subject to strict conditions including engagement with the Probation Service and completion of a sexual offender treatment programme. The survivor, now 46, waived anonymity and delivered an impact statement to the court, describing the profound effect the abuse had on his life and his relief at securing justice.
The Central Criminal Court will hear the murder trial of 32‑year‑old Jozef Puska, accused of killing 23‑year‑old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022 in Cappincur, Tullamore. Puska, who lives at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, is represented by Michael Bowman SC. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, will preside. Once the jury is empaneled, the trial is expected to last about four weeks. Murphy, a recent graduate of Mary Immaculate College, was jogging beside the Grand Canal when she was allegedly fatally assaulted.
In a Court of Appeal decision on 28 July 2023, the €25,000 fine imposed on Palfinger Ireland Ltd for health and safety breaches related to a crane incident that caused the drowning of two stonemasons was upheld as not unduly lenient. The incident, which occurred on 29 August 2015 on the Thomond Bridge, involved a steel cage that fell into the River Shannon, killing Bryan Whelan (29) and TJ O'Herlihy (36). A third worker, Paul Murphy, survived. Palfinger supplied the crane to Nationwide Crane Hire, which was fined €200,000 for similar breaches. The Court of Appeal rejected the State's argument that the fine was too low, noting that the sentencing judge had considered aggravating factors and the long period of safe operation of the crane. The appeal was dismissed, confirming the fine as appropriate under the 1993 Act.
A man's conviction for rape and sexual assault has been quashed by the Court of Appeal following concerns about jury impartiality and the handling of evidence at trial. Stephen Lynch, with an address in Offaly, was convicted in May 2021 at the Central Criminal Court of raping his then partner's sister, aged 15, at a property in Athlone, County Roscommon, in October 2015. He was also convicted of sexual assault and assault causing harm relating to incidents in December 2015. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The appeal court heard that jurors reported concerns they had been photographed in the car park outside court, though a phone retrieved by gardaí contained no images. The trial judge declined to discharge the jury after they indicated the matter had been resolved. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy stated the court harboured disquiet that no proper inquiry was conducted into what had occurred or how it was resolved.
Patrick Killally, aged 46, was jailed for 11 years after a jury convicted him of three counts of sexual assault of a boy aged six to nine between 1992 and 1996, and 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of another boy aged 12 to 14 between 2005 and 2007. He had no prior convictions. Mr Justice Paul Burns, hearing the case in the Central Criminal Court, praised the two survivors for coming forward as adults to protect children and urged them not to blame themselves for not speaking earlier. He noted the abuse had severely impacted their lives, citing their victim‑impact statements. Mr Justice Burns imposed concurrent sentences totalling 12 years, suspended the final year on strict conditions to encourage rehabilitation, and commended the men's courage. The judge also acknowledged Killally's claims of innocence and his lack of previous convictions. The sentencing aimed to balance punishment with the possibility of rehabilitation.
In 2022, Palfinger Ireland Ltd was fined €25,000 for health and safety breaches after a crane supplied by the company was used in an incident that caused the drowning of two stonemasons, Bryan Whelan (29) and TJ O'Herlihy (36), on the River Shannon in 2015. The incident involved a steel cage that fell into the water, and a safety mechanism on the crane failed. The fine was imposed by Limerick Circuit Court, which had unlimited fine jurisdiction. Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd, the operator of the crane, was fined €200,000 for similar breaches. The Court of Appeal heard arguments that the fine for Palfinger was too low, with the Director of Public Prosecutions claiming the sentencing judge erred in not setting a higher headline fine and in treating the missing manual chapter as a mitigating factor. The appeal was reserved for a later decision.
A 55‑year‑old man was found guilty by a jury of two counts of oral rape of his six‑year‑old daughter and one count of inviting a child to sexual touching. The offences occurred at his home between June 2020 and January 2021. He denied all charges and does not accept the verdict. Mr Justice David Keane imposed a ten‑year sentence for the two rape counts and a seven‑year sentence for the invitation to sexual touching, all to run concurrently and backdated to March 24. He noted the victim's young age, the breach of trust, and the profound harm caused. The defendant is a low‑to‑moderate risk of re‑offending, will be a registered sex offender, and must undergo three years of post‑release supervision. No portion of the sentence was suspended because the defendant does not accept the jury's verdict. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court in Tullamore.
Enoch Burke, a former teacher at Wilson's Hospital secondary school, secured a temporary High Court injunction halting the hearing of his dismissal appeal. The matter was adjourned until the following Tuesday. Burke, who represented himself, argued that ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie, a member of the three-person appeal panel, should recuse himself due to alleged bias regarding transgender issues. He also claimed the panel failed to obtain a WhatsApp video clip from the school board, which he argued was crucial evidence. The other panel members are Sean Ó Longáin, the chair, and Jack Cleary, the Management Body representative. Justice Eileen Roberts granted the ex-parte application, ruling that Burke had raised fair issues but making no findings of fact on his claims. Burke had previously been jailed for 108 days in Mountjoy Prison for contempt of court after refusing to comply with an order restraining him from attending the school. He was later fined €700 daily for continued breaches. The school board had dismissed Burke for gross misconduct, a decision he denies, claiming his dismissal stems from his objection to using specific pronouns for a student.
Dumitru Sehleanu, a van driver, won €15,000 in compensation from Cordelia Foods Ltd following a Workplace Relations Commission hearing. The adjudicator found that the company committed longstanding breaches of the Organisation of Working Time Act, specifically regarding excessive hours and lack of breaks. Mr. Sehleanu alleged he worked 12 to 13-hour days, driving 600km to 900km routes, and was forced to urinate in a bottle due to the inability to take rest periods. The adjudicator accepted this evidence, awarding €7,500 for rest period violations and a further €7,500 for exceeding weekly maximum hours between May and August 2020. However, Mr. Sehleanu's claims for constructive dismissal under the Unfair Dismissals Act, penalisation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, and a National Minimum Wage Act complaint were all rejected. The adjudicator ruled that while the working time breaches were significant, they did not constitute a repudiatory breach of contract because Mr. Sehleanu resigned without first raising the issues with his employer. The minimum wage claim failed due to procedural non-compliance. The total award was €15,000. Mr. Sehleanu has since secured new employment as a firefighter in Bray.
The Court of Appeal has quashed the original sentence of James Davy, who was convicted of impeding the apprehension of Sean Davy following the murder of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley. Davy's conviction for murder was previously overturned in 2021, substituting it with a lesser offence for attempting to dispose of a baseball bat and burning the victim's body. Mr Justice George Birmingham ruled that the original nine-year sentence, with two years suspended, was excessive because the re-sentencing judge failed to adequately consider mitigating factors, including Davy's early plea, remorse, mental health difficulties, and productive prison conduct. The court reduced the sentence to eight years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and marked the sentence as served. Davy had already served six years and nine months before his release in September 2021. Mr Justice John Edwards noted that the re-sentencing judge made no reference to these mitigating circumstances, which Davy was entitled to have taken into account. The court emphasized that while the offending was egregious, Davy was entitled to a proportionate sentence reflecting standard mitigation. Sean Davy, the principal offender, remains serving a life sentence for murder, while Mathew Cummins, who admitted to setting fire to the body, was also convicted of impeding apprehension. The appeal was dismissed as moot by the State, but the court affirmed Davy's right to due process and a correctly calibrated censure.
Two survivors of sexual abuse by Patrick Killally, aged 45, told the Central Criminal Court how they spoke out to protect children and encourage others to come forward. One survivor was between six and nine years old when abused; the other was between 12 and 14. Killally was a teenager when he assaulted the first boy and an adult when he abused the second boy over two years. He was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy (1992‑1996) and 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of the second boy (2005‑2007). The survivors described the long‑term emotional burden, fear of speaking out, and their decision to testify after the trial ended in May 2023. Killally maintains his innocence; the court remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing to 10 July.
A man has launched an appeal against his conviction for rape and sexual assault following a trial in the Central Criminal Court. Stephen Lynch, with an address in County Offaly, was convicted in May 2021 of raping a fifteen-year-old girl at a property in Athlone, County Roscommon, in October 2015, and of sexually assaulting another young woman and assaulting her friend in December 2015. Lynch pleaded not guilty to all charges. At the Court of Appeal, his legal representatives argued the jury should have been discharged due to concerns they were photographed during the trial and following a reference by a witness to previous stories about the accused. The State's counsel submitted these issues were resolved at trial and were not sufficiently prejudicial to warrant discharge. The appeal court reserved judgment. Lynch was sentenced to eight years and nine months for the rape offence and concurrent sentences totalling two years and nine months for the other convictions.
Simon Quilligan, 40, was convicted in March 2021 of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life at a halting site where he allegedly said "I'll kill you all; man, woman or child." He had previously been found not guilty of attempted murder and of intentionally or recklessly discharging a firearm in a separate incident. Quilligan appealed the firearms conviction, arguing insufficient evidence and inconsistency with his acquittal on the discharge charge. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, rejected the appeal, stating ample evidence justified a jury decision and that the conviction was not inconsistent with the acquittal. Quilligan remains jailed, with release scheduled for 10 June 2024, and the Court of Appeal will set a date for his sentence appeal next week. The case involved additional convictions for threatening to kill or cause serious harm and for criminal damage, all of which were sentenced to run concurrently.
The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment in an appeal by James Davy regarding the severity of his sentence. Davy, along with Mathew Cummins, was initially convicted of murdering Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley in 2014. In 2021, the Court of Appeal quashed these murder convictions, finding no evidence of a joint enterprise to kill. Instead, the court substituted convictions for impeding the apprehension of Sean Davy, who remains serving a life sentence for the murder. Davy was re-sentenced to nine years in jail, with the final two years suspended, but the sentence was marked as served. He was released in September 2021 after serving six years and nine months. Davy now appeals against the severity of this already-served term, arguing it negatively impacts his job prospects. Counsel for the State described the appeal as moot. However, Mr Justice Edwards noted that while the sentence is served, Davy is entitled to due process and a proportionate censure. He criticized the re-sentencing judge for failing to consider Davy's remorse, mental health, addiction, and prison progress. The court will decide whether the sentence was excessive given these unaddressed mitigating factors.
The Central Criminal Court trial of 32‑year‑old Jozef Puska, accused of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy in Offaly, has been postponed to the autumn. Puska, who lives in Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, was charged with the fatal assault that occurred on 12 January 2022 while Murphy was jogging along the Grand Canal near Tullamore. The trial, originally scheduled for 7 June, was delayed after the State received an expert report from the defence and the prosecution needed time to respond and obtain a further report. Prosecutor Ms Anne Marie Lawlor SC requested the June date be vacated and the case be listed for the first day of the Michaelmas term on 2 October. The judge set a new trial date of 2 October 2023 and agreed to renew an application for a Slovakian interpreter. The case will be mentioned again on 21 July for a pre‑trial management hearing.
In 2021 Simon Quilligan was jailed for six years for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life at a halting site where he threatened to kill people. He had earlier been found not guilty of attempted murder and of endangerment from a reckless discharge of a firearm. The Court of Appeal heard that the conviction for the firearm offence was "perverse" because the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to prove possession of a live weapon. Quilligan's lawyers argued that witnesses could not see or hear a gun, that no firearm residue or silencer was found, and that the evidence was inconsistent with the acquittals of the other charges. The appeal was heard by a three‑judge panel, with the judge noting that the case would be decided at a later hearing. The article reports only the arguments and the pending decision, not a verdict.
A 62‑year‑old man who sexually abused his two sisters over a seven‑year period more than 40 years ago lost an appeal against his conviction and five‑year prison sentence. The Court of Appeal, led by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, rejected the appellant's legal team's arguments that the trial was unfair because the offences occurred more than four decades earlier, that separate trials should have been held for each complainant, and that the indictment had been amended after all evidence was heard. The appellant was originally convicted in September 2021 by a Central Criminal Court jury in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, of one count of rape and 12 counts of indecent assault between 1974 and 1981, and was sentenced to five years in prison by Ms Justice Carmel Stewart. The appeal was dismissed, with the court finding no merit in the criticisms raised.
Stephen Gregan, 42, was found in possession of 64 images and 57 movies of child sexual abuse material when Gardaí searched his Rathmines home in June 2017, following a complaint that he had sexually assaulted an 11‑year‑old girl in a Penneys shop. He pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and received a nine‑month suspended sentence in October 2019 for the sexual assault. In March 2023 Judge Melanie Greally imposed an 18‑month prison sentence for the child‑abuse‑material charge, but suspended it for two years on strict conditions, including probation supervision. The judge cited the time elapsed since the offence, Gregan's rehabilitation efforts, lack of further Garda attention, and the absence of distribution of the material as mitigating factors. The sentence was fully suspended, so no custodial time is to be served.
Joe Dunne, a former priest from Ballycrystal, Geashill, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault against a young woman in 1989. The victim, who had been abused and hospitalized, was driven by Dunne to the Rape Crisis Centre for counselling, during which he repeatedly assaulted her. She later wrote to her bishop, but little action was taken. In 2019, Gardaí discovered her letters and she disclosed the abuse. Dunne, who has no prior convictions and is the sole carer for his 94‑year‑old sister, was sentenced by Justice Paul McDermott to four years imprisonment. The judge suspended the entire sentence on strict conditions, citing the disproportionate impact on his sister and Dunne's health issues. The court noted the victim's 34‑year trauma and the breach of trust by Dunne. The sentence requires probation and offence‑focused work.
The Central Criminal Court has set a trial for 32‑year‑old Jozef Puska, accused of murdering 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy in Offaly. The alleged killing occurred on 12 January 2022 when Ms Murphy was fatally assaulted while jogging along Fiona's Way, a stretch of the Grand Canal near Tullamore. Puska, who lives at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, is charged with murder and will stand trial on 6 June. The court will reconvene on 31 March for a progress update. The case is expected to last up to four weeks.
Three men – Glen Keegan (41), Karl Keegan (31) and Thomas McAllister (48) – pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm at Killinarden Heights, Tallaght, on 25 April 2017. The attack involved a balaclava‑clad armed group that struck an orange car carrying two children, damaged two motorists' vehicles, and caused a taxi driver to lose his car. The men had a combined 78 prior convictions. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Karl Keegan and McAllister to four years' imprisonment, suspended in full on strict conditions, and Glen Keegan to a three‑and‑a‑half‑year term, also suspended. The judge noted the men's remorse, their progress in rehabilitation, and the family's forgiveness. No jail time was imposed, and the men were required to pay €6,000 as a token of remorse. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 6 March 2023.
Shaun Groome's appeal against his 15-year sentence for assault causing serious harm has been dismissed. In December 2021, Groome pleaded guilty to the 2015 attack on Ciarán Murphy at Coolcor, Co Offaly, where Murphy was stabbed 16 times and set alight, suffering burns to 96% of his body and losing his ears. The trial judge, Judge Martin Nolan, described the violence as exceptional and noted Groome's murderous intent, reducing a 20-year headline sentence to 15 years without a suspended portion. Groome's counsel argued the plea discount was insufficient, citing mitigating factors including remorse and addiction. However, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, rejected this, noting the plea was entered only after Groome was extradited from the UK. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy stated the sentence was within the margin for exceptional cases and the discount was appropriate. Groome's co-accused, David Keena, who was 17 at the time, was jailed for five years in October 2020 for his role in the attack, which involved providing petrol. The court upheld the original sentencing, finding the trial judge correctly weighed the mitigating circumstances against the severity of the injuries.
Stephen Penrose, 39, a former garda's son, is serving a life sentence for the murder of Philip Finnegan in 2016. While in Mountjoy Prison, he pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine for sale and supply. In a supervised visit, Penrose attempted to conceal a package containing a mobile phone, 49.2 g of diamorphine, and 113 zopiclone tablets. Prison officers intervened, and the package was seized. Penrose initially denied receiving the drugs but later admitted he was unaware of the package until the visit and that his partner had instructed him to hand it to another inmate. He has 34 prior convictions, including murder, manslaughter and drug possession. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a concurrent sentence of two and a half years to deter drug smuggling in prison.
Three men – Glen Keegan (41), Karl Keegan (31) and Thomas McAllister (48) – pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to two men in an attack on a car at Killinarden Heights, Tallaght, on 25 April 2017. The incident occurred while children were present on a busy Dublin road. The men were not directly involved in the underlying dispute between two families but agreed to participate. Gardaí investigated the scene, finding a maroon car that had crashed into an orange car, with the assailants wearing balaclavas and carrying implements. The victims sustained superficial cuts; an ambulance was called and the children were taken home. The case was adjourned to 6 March 2023 for probation reports. The men's prior convictions and the circumstances of their involvement were presented in court, but no sentencing outcome was given in the article.
James O'Driscoll, aged 51, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for a savage attack on a stranger on O'Connell Street in Dublin in March 2020. O'Driscoll claimed he had mistaken the victim for a man who had entered his niece's bedroom. The victim, who had spent the night at a "crack house" in the inner city, suffered a large stab wound to the leg and head injuries. The assault was captured on CCTV, showing O'Driscoll repeatedly kicking the man in the head as he cowered in a hotel doorway. O'Driscoll pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. He has 100 previous convictions, including assault, threats to kill, robbery and theft. Judge Martin Nolan described the attack as "a savage attack" and noted O'Driscoll's criminal record before handing down the sentence. The victim was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries. O'Driscoll was arrested after gardaí recognised him from the footage.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Donal Hayes, a 64‑year‑old former business manager of an insolvent investment company, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for theft and inducing investors to invest under false premises. Hayes claimed he was unaware the company operated as a pyramid scheme, yet he persuaded investors to give him money for a "rescue fund" that would secure their initial investment. Instead, he transferred the money to his own company account and invested it in apartments in Bulgaria and a hotel in Brazil, taking €550,000 for these purchases. When the company liquidator discovered the misuse, Hayes sold the properties and returned most of the money, leaving the company a loss of €65,000. Investors suffered a combined loss of €101,000. Hayes pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and one count of inducing investment under false premises between 2008 and 2011.
Alan Yip, 47, of Parnell Street, Dublin, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to six counts of providing registrars with false or misleading birth information between August 2012 and July 2015. Judge Martin Nolan stated Yip deserved a custodial sentence for his role in a scheme that facilitated Irish passports for children. Five co-accused parents—Ning Zhang, Wei Qin Xie, Jie Chen, Honghui Dong, and Peng Lin—each pleaded guilty to one charge of providing false birth particulars regarding their own children. Although the judge initially considered harsh sentences for deterrence, he ultimately decided against imprisonment, citing their desperation and mitigation. Each of these five defendants received a two-year term suspended in full. The court noted that Yip, a British citizen, falsely registered himself as the father of six children to allow their mothers to secure Irish citizenship and leave to remain. Defence counsel argued that custody would be overly severe for the parents, who had no permanent status. The judge acknowledged the parents' difficult circumstances but emphasized they had breached the law. The matter was finalized with Yip jailed and the others receiving suspended sentences.